As hundreds gathered Saturday in downtown Milwaukee to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a small group set out on a different mission — to debunk misconceptions.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, a nationwide group, hosted its inaugural National #MeetAMuslim Day Saturday across 50 cities and 120 locations, including Milwaukee, to encourage non-Muslims and Muslims alike to come together and create an open dialogue.

Carrying signs that read “#MeetAMuslim Ask me anything,” a group of Milwaukee’s Ahmadiyya MuslimCommunity members spread out along Wisconsin Ave. between 4th and Water streets.

“We were there to answer questions that people might have, dispel false information and break down those stereotypes,” said Rizwan Ahmad, the spokesperson for Milwaukee’s Ahmadiyya MuslimCommunity.

Reflecting on a conversation with a man that began hostile but ended with the man and a MuslimCommunity member embracing in a hug, Ahmad said, “This is exactly why we do this.”… read more at source.